EPCRA Section 304
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Emergency Release Notification Requirements
If a release of an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) at or above its applicable reportable quantity, the facility must notify the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for any area(s) likely to be affected by the release. If an accidental release of a hazardous substance listed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the facility must notify the National Response Center (NRC), as well as the SERC and LEPC.
The facility must provide a detailed follow-up written report as soon as practicable after the release. SERCs and LEPCs are required to make these reports available to the public.
- What facilities are subject to the emergency release notification requirements?
- What chemicals are regulated?
- What are facilities required to do?
- What must be included in the emergency release notification?
- What is a Follow-up Written Report?
- Where can I find more information on these requirements?
What facilities and chemicals are regulated under the emergency release notification requirements?
Any facility that releases into the environment one of the listed types of chemicals in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity as required by the Emergency Release Notification regulation (PDF)( 4 pp, 199 K, About PDF):
Note: The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is updated once a year. The Vacatur Response – CERCLA/EPCRA Administrative Reporting Exemption for Air Releases of Hazardous Substance from Animal Waste at Farms; FARM Act Amendments to CERCLA Release Notification Requirements (83 FR 37444)(3 pp, 204 K, About PDF) will not be included in the official CFR until July 1, 2019. Until then, the unofficial version is available through the e-CFR at: 40 CFR Subpart C – Emergency Release Notification. This recently published final rule removes EPCRA regulatory provisions 355.13 (g) and (h) vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
What chemicals are regulated?
- Extremely Hazardous Substances - Appendix A (PDF) (6 pp, 219 K, About PDF) and Appendix B (PDF)(6 pp, 217 K, About PDF) (Emergency Planning and Notification, 40 CFR part 355)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) hazardous substances (Designation, Reportable Quantities, and Notification, 40 CFR part 302)(57 pp, 445 K, About PDF)
What are facilities required to do?
- If a release of an EHS or a CERCLA hazardous substance occurs, the facility must immediately notify LEPCs and SERCs for any area(s) likely to be affected by the release. In addition, releases of CERCLA hazardous substances must also be reported to the NRC at (800) 424-8802.
State Contact Information: EPCRA Section 304 - Emergency Release Notification
- Emergency notification requirements involving transportation incidents can be met by dialing 911, or in the absence of a 911 emergency number, calling the local operator.
What must be included in the emergency release notification?
- The chemical name
- An indication of whether the substance is extremely hazardous
- An estimate of the quantity released into the environment
- The time and duration of the release
- Whether the release occurred into air, water, and/or land
- Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the emergency, and where necessary, advice regarding medical attention for exposed individuals
- Proper precautions, such as evacuation or sheltering in place
- Name and telephone number of contact person
What is a Follow-up Written Report?
A follow-up written report must be submitted to the SERC and LEPC as soon as practicable after the release. The follow-up written report must update information included in the initial notice and provide information on actual response actions taken and advice regarding medical attention necessary for citizens exposed.
Please check with your state for any additional reporting requirements.
Where can I find more information on these requirements?
For more information on emergency release notification requirements, see: Emergency Release Notification regulation (PDF) (4 pp, 199 K), About PDF).